Combined folding table and step-ladder



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

L. TOBEY. v COMBINED FOLDING TABLE AND STEP LADDER.

- ate ed May 13,; 1890. 1 79. 1 E

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEYS.

(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2. L. TOBEY. GOMBINED FOLDING TABLE AND STEP LADDER.

No. 427,935. Patented May 13, 1890.

WITNESSES: M

ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

LEVI TOBEY, OF MORRIS, NEW YORK.

COMBINED FOLDING TABLE AND STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 427,935, dated May 13, 1890.

Application filed fieptember 28, 1888. $erial No. 286,666. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LEVI TOBEY, of Morris, in the county of Otsego and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Combined Folding Table and Step-Ladder, of which the following is a full, clear and exact description.

This invention relates to combined tables and step-ladders, and has for its object to provide a combined folding table and step-ladder which will be effective and durable, may be readily changed for use as a table or stepladder, and securely held in position, and will take up little room when folded.

The invention consists in a combined foldiug table and step-ladder and in details thereof, constructed and arranged as hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side view of the invention in position for use as a table. Fig. 2 is a' plan View thereof in folded position. Fig. 3 is a detail view showing a fastener for holding the parts in folded position. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 00, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the line y y of Fig. 1, showing a fastening for holding the parts in open position as a table. Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the table-top on line 2 z of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a side view of the invention in vertical section in position for use as a step-ladder, and Fig. 8 is a detail View of one end of the table-top broken away.

In the construction of this invention, 1 indicates the table-top, and 2 3 the supports or legs for the table, the supports 2 being connected together by cross-bars i and pivoted at one end to lugs 5 on a cross-piece 6, secured to the top 1, adjacent to one end thereof. The supports 3 are constructed with ladder-rounds 7 and are pivoted between their ends to the supports 2 within the latter, so as to fold up and rest against the cross-bars 4, as shown in Fig. 2, or to be extended in crossed position as supports for the table, as shown in Fig. 1.

The top 1 of the table is preferably formed of slightly-oval shape, being thereby thickest in the middle and affording a strong board, which is at the same time comparatively thin.

By means of this construction the table will not warp and become higher at its longitudinal edges than at its center, which would cause the iron to crease the sheets and other articles when the table is used as an ironing-table, and also by its oval shape giving an excellent surface for ironing shirts, &c. The table-top l is provided with double spring-clamps 8, by means of which the edges of a sheet or cloth maybe held in place, as shown in Fig. 6. The spring-clamp 8 is formed of a single wire coiled at its center to form a spring, and extending at its ends toward the sides of the table-top or board, and rounded, as shown, to rest against the under side of the board. The clamps 8 are secured at their coiled centers to the under side of the board. To the under side of the table-top 1 is secured a slab of wood 9, or other suitable material, which serves to brace and strengthen the top.

In order to hold the supports 3 in adjustably-extended or open position, the inner ends of the supports 3 are formed tapering or diminished, as shown at 10, and the slab 9 is provided on its sides with a series of stops or lugs 11, with which the ends 10 engage, the stops 11 having one side beveled, as at 12, so

that the ends 10 may rest snugly in position when the supports 3 are in engagement therewith. The supports 3 may be locked in open position, preferably by means of a spring-hook l3, movable in a recess 14 in one of the ends 10, and adapted to slip over and engage a lip or projecting strip 15 in the side of slab 9. The outer ends 16 of supports 2 3 are hollowed out to form edges 17, which serve to form a hold for the feet of the supports and prevent them from slipping. The top 1 and the supports 2 3 may be locked in folded position, preferably by means of a hook 18 on one of the supports 3, engaging a hook 19, formed on aplate 20, secured to the top 1. The supports 2 3 may be also held in fully-extended position by means of a hooked rod 21 on one of the cross-bars 4 of the supports 2, extending through an eye 22 011 one of the rounds 7, and engaging said round 7 of the supports 3. When the invention is used as a step-ladder, the supports 3 are folded within the supports 2, when the supports 2 and table-top may be placed as shown in Fig. 7. The parts are held in this position by means of a hooked rod 23, pivoted to the top 1 and engaging an eye 21 on one of the supports 3. \Vhen the step-ladder is not in use, rod 23 is held out of the Way by engaging an eye 25 on top 1.

It will thus be seen that by means of this invention a combined table and step-ladder is provided, which may be readily placed in position and securely held for use as a table or step-ladder, may be folded up so as to occupy little space, will be especially useful for an ironing-table, and Will be strong and durable.

\Vhile I have set forth a specific construction of parts, I do not intend to limit myself thereto, as the parts may be varied Without departing from the essential features of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A combined folding table and step-lad der, comprising the table-top or board 1, having parallel series of lugs 11 on its under side, supports 2, hinged to the under side of the top or board, near one end thereof, and having a round or cross-piece 4, the supports 3, pivoted between supports 2 and provided with rounds 7, the upper one of which has a staple or eye, the Wire or red 21, having an eye embracing the round 4 and passing at its opposite end through said staple or eye and curved or hooked to engage the said upper round 7, catches for connecting the upper ends of a support with the under side of the top or board When the article is in use as a table, and other catches for holding said parts in their closed position, substantially as set forth.

2. A combined folding table and step-ladder, consisting in the table-top orboard 1, having parallel series of lugs 11, and a lip 15, extending alongside one of said series, supports 2, pivoted to the top 1, near one end thereof, and having supports 3 pivoted between them and provided with rounds, and the laterallyextending spring-hook 13 on the inner end of one side of one support 3 to engage the lip 15 when the inner ends of the supports 3 engage the lugs, substantially as set forth.

LEVI TOBEY. Witnesses:

DAVID J. YAGER, CHARLES 1V. LEWIS. 

